Sorry to clarify, I was talking about with regard to the 2014/15 team. You are saying there's no improvement. Which of the players we have signed is NOT an improvement ?Oh come on now.
Our Rivals Squad's next year - Liverpool 2015/2016
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Too many average players. Liverpool had their chance to try and build after the second placed finish but the money they spent trying to replace Suarez was a complete waste.
Going off of last season, United & Arsenal are currently the weakest in the top 4. How many Liverpool players would get in either side?
Milner is a decent player, but he's not going to carry them to the next level. Clyne again, a decent right back but he isn't anything special. Firmino might be a player, but I can't say I've seen him play so not going to comment. Maybe if they play their 3-4-3 they might look do ok, but their transfers dont suggest to me that how they will play.
Going off of last season, United & Arsenal are currently the weakest in the top 4. How many Liverpool players would get in either side?
Milner is a decent player, but he's not going to carry them to the next level. Clyne again, a decent right back but he isn't anything special. Firmino might be a player, but I can't say I've seen him play so not going to comment. Maybe if they play their 3-4-3 they might look do ok, but their transfers dont suggest to me that how they will play.
Is Firmino necessarily an improvement on Sterling? That's just what is being hoped for. The evidence is still to come for that.
Clyne and Milner are solid players but they are not going to improve things for your lot to a huge degree.
Rest of the signings are unremarkable (or gash as I might say). Ings reminds me of Alan Smith from Leeds. Hard-working, decent potential but ultimately pish for a top team.
Liverpool aren't in decline, but it's not as if they are making monumental strides forward. They've made some good, sensible signings with Milner and Clyne, as well as Firmino who could be a big success, but it's doubtful that any of those signings will elevate their level and really challenge any of the top four.
Six signings, but three I doubt will make a difference at all. One is a back-up keeper that I doubt will push Mignolet (who isn't great himself); an 18 year-old centre back who probably won't make an impact this season, despite his potential; and a semi-decent PL striker who could barely boast a decent goal-return last season.
Add to that the loss of key players season on season and Sturridge's injury woes. I struggle to see how they will break the top four over the coming years. Their second placed finish is proven to be an anomaly, as they had a genius in their ranks. They're just stagnating.
Six signings, but three I doubt will make a difference at all. One is a back-up keeper that I doubt will push Mignolet (who isn't great himself); an 18 year-old centre back who probably won't make an impact this season, despite his potential; and a semi-decent PL striker who could barely boast a decent goal-return last season.
Add to that the loss of key players season on season and Sturridge's injury woes. I struggle to see how they will break the top four over the coming years. Their second placed finish is proven to be an anomaly, as they had a genius in their ranks. They're just stagnating.
Well Firmino has a better record than Sterling and is the more mature and well-rounded player, the question is whether he can transfer that to the PL and of course the jury is out on that. Milner is an upgrade on Gerrard who was often played to the detriment of the team and Clyne an upgrade on Can at RB or Manquillo. Hopefully Flanno will be back in rude health sooner than later too.
We must pray Sturridge stays fit because that was one of the main reasons we failed to challenge for 4th last season - when he's fit he's one of the best strikers in the PL. And a straight question, Y or N, are Benteke (assuming), Ings and Origi and upgrade on Balo, Borini and Lambert ? So with all of the above .. how can you say we will not improve to a huge degree ? What is holding us back ?
with all that happening Liverpool are still not as strong as the big 4 squad wise.
5th will be a good shout. 4th will be a reach.
5th will be a good shout. 4th will be a reach.
When you say improve to a huge degree, what are you specifically referring to? Because you finished 6th last season and it's unlikely you'll finish higher than 5th this season. Can't see you significantly improving upon your points tally either.
Although I disagree with the stagnation assertion I think the rest is fair and it's probably where we are at. I've said before that we will need 2-3 years to build up what is a very young team with reinforcements (with players of Firmino and Milner's quality) , and hopefully we'll see these youngsters gel and mature and become a solid force.
Well to be fair I was questioning why Minimalist thought we could not improve to a huge degree - I didn't claim we could/would. How much improvement we make depends on Sturridge's fitness, BR's tactics, how big a step up the young players of last season can take and how well the new players gel.
However I think it is a far more balanced side than one with Gerrard and Sterling (who was often given the ball - only to lose it - because he was looked at as the main outlet in the absence of Sturridge or a striker worthy of the name) and one that should lose less 'silly' points than last season. How we perform against last season's Top 5 will be the key to our season.
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1. Firmino missed a terrible open net for Brazil just recently which to me at least shows he could be rather inconsistent with his performances. As you have agreed with me, it's hard to tell what he's going to be like once the season starts. I have my doubts he will offer much more than what Sterling has offered at his best. I've glanced at their records from last season recently and unless I'm mistaken, there isn't much between them.
2. Milner is definitely an upgrade on Gerrard. As despite his legendary status, the latter was a complete liability for Liverpool for the past two seasons. Milner (as I already said) is solid. But he won't necessarily make your midfield much better going forward. He'll mainly steady things by being 'not shit' and by not giving the ball away all the damn time.
3. Pray? At present a few of you need to be considering sacrificing your daughters to the Lord of Light to assure safe and injury-free passage for Sturridge through the season.
4. Benteke is the only one of those than is a considerable improvement and even still, I'm confused why Brendan would want a striker in his form (from a tactical stand point I mean).
Ings is..I have no idea. He looks average to me and nothing more than a typical hard-working English striker.
Origi is talked about a lot but there is little evidence at this stage for him improving things too. All conjecture that is being taken too seriously.
Conclusion: All in all, I'm repeating what I've said before. The signings may keep you from sliding backwards but they are very unlikely to move you forward. As someone has already said, the money from Suarez was woefully spent and I'll be fascinated to see if Liverpool learn their lesson with the Sterling money.
Then again, I have been wrong. I thought you lot would carry on last season with good attacking football - how wrong I was.
I think we will finish 5th. Assuming we get a good striker in.
I think Skrtel is our best centre back though and I would prefer to see a young promising lad brought through with himself. I hope that Sakho and Lovren really settle this year as they have shown promise but for both this is a make or break year. Milner is a shrewd signing for me. The kind of link up player that does the quiet work and doesn't miss out much through injury. I think he was undervalued at City. He will take pressure off Henderson too and add much needed legs to the middle of the park which Gerard lacked a bit last term. Ings may not set the world alight but I like the interviews he's given and he seems a very driven lad. Could be the right blend of hard working forward to push a bigger name like Sturridge/Balotelli to perform. Although I don't hold out much hope on Balotelli. I think this is the season for Coutinho to either deliver consistency to his game and produce great performances for 30 or so games or to fall away and end up like Alvaro Recoba as a lad who scored some brilliant goals but just kinda vanished. I hope he delivers as I really like the kind of player he is. Glides around the pitch so he does.
I agree that we need a partner for Skrtel but I don't see him as a tower of strength either. I hope he proves me wrong. What of the reserves? Are there any young centre halfs/big lads who can head coming through?
Lloyd Jones is a good prospect, tall, good in the air, think he was named on the bench for the first XI a couple of seasons ago but has had a few injuries since. He has just gone out on loan to Blackpool. Ilori I assume is back with us soon after going on loan in Spain last season.
Daniel Cleary is good on the ball and like Jones a centre back, he has gone on the club tour.
Brad Smith left back , Connor Randall right back are decent young lads from the U21 and maybe the best is Joe Maguire a left back who like Cleary has gone on tour, and did well in the first pre-season game the other day.
Maquire is the more likely to make it I think, especially as we have struggled at left back a little. Having signed Gomez and with Ilori and Wisdom I assume coming back from loan, it's hard to see Jones or Cleary getting any games just yet.
With all due respect johnny, none of those players you mentioned are likely to feature much for LFC*.
*from watching them over the last few seasons.
*from watching them over the last few seasons.
Possibly, it's hard to really see any defenders coming through, I still think Maguire has a chance.
Most of the better young players are the likes of Ojo, Kent, Teixiera, Wilson and Brannagan midfield or wide players.
I'd love to see a few young lads come through and develop into first teamers but it's so rare these days.
Their strikers:
Balotelli
Benteke
Borini
Firmino
Ings
Origi
Lambert
Sturridge
Balotelli
Benteke
Borini
Firmino
Ings
Origi
Lambert
Sturridge
Balo & Borini have to go. Lambert wasn't a bad buy on paper, but I'm not going to miss him if he goes.
Sturridge, Benteke, Origi, Ings > Sturridge, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert. Definitely an improvement, but not a huge one. Didn't include Firmino, either.
Sturridge, Benteke, Origi, Ings > Sturridge, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert. Definitely an improvement, but not a huge one. Didn't include Firmino, either.
If Liverpool had a good or bad transfer window could be decided via Robert Firmino. If he is able to produce match performances like he did for Hoffenheim... everything could work out nearly perfectly for Liverpool. Take Benteke for example: With Firmino in great shape any striker will score his goals and get his self confidence.
As you see I was impressed by Firmino over the last years. Wonderful player. But if he is really able to settle in the premier league on the highest level... is a doubt.
As you see I was impressed by Firmino over the last years. Wonderful player. But if he is really able to settle in the premier league on the highest level... is a doubt.
Borini Balotelli and lambert all have to guy. Can't believe they were our strike force for most of the season. Worst forward line i can remember
Assuming Liverpool stop after Benteke, which they may or may not do, then you have to say they are still some distance away from a top four spot. You can effectively break their entire squad down into three key players in Firmino (assuming he hits the ground running), Sturridge (assuming he stays injury free) and Coutinho (assuming he continues to progress) - outside of those three would any of their squad really challenge for a first team place in any other squad?
Even those three would struggle.
Even those three would struggle.
Clyne: "I was intrigued and I've been told how great this club is."
So have we. For 25 years.
So have we. For 25 years.
Is it just me or they're stacking up forward lines to no end but leaving defense the same as last year.
I like the Joe Gomez signing but, will probably not make a huge impact this season.
Our attack was far and away our main problem last year.
Still surprised that there aren't any central defenders being linked to Liverpool. The fantastic four from last season still there? or did Toure leave?
Really ? Benteke over Balo isn't a huge improvement ? Ings over Lambert isn't a huge improvement ? Origi over Borini isn't a huge improvement ? We shouldn't forget that Balo/Borini/Lambert provided the princely total of 4 goals in 51 (starts & subs) PL matches for us last season. I'd respectfully suggest any one of our new strikers will piss all over that this season, ergo a huge improvement.
True but defense will remain the problem.
Or you'll have the same tactics as 2 seasons ago, as much you can put behind us, we will score more?
The fact that Sterling ended up playing a few games up front shows you just how bad these players performed.
You've got more rounded forward options this season, if Sturridge can play over 50% of games you will make a big improvement on last season.
How do 'Pool fans except the team to line up next season? 4222?
Or diamond?
??
Mignolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner Henderson
Coutinho Firmino
Benteke Sturridge
???Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner Henderson
Coutinho Firmino
Benteke Sturridge
Or diamond?
Mignolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner
Henderson Can
Coutinho
Benteke Firmino
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner
Henderson Can
Coutinho
Benteke Firmino
??
Skrtel and Sakho are both good centrebacks. If Sakho can stay fit, we should be ok. Toure is still here, but I am assuming/hoping he is there as a failsafe for Ilori/Gomez for one more year before he retires.
The bottomline for me is that we can't keep buying good defenders, watch them turn to shit in a red shirt, and then expect that the next one will not go through the same process. There are bigger gains to be made for the money paid elsewhere on the pitch. Hopefully the new coaching staff will also bring some new input to our defensive setup.
A top quality leftback wouldn't go amiss. We were linked with Digne earlier, but that seemed to evaporate.
I'd rather see a top holding midfielder come in than a top centreback.
I expect us to play a variety of 4-3-3, diamond, 442, 3-4-3 and 3-5-2. Bot probably more of the first two.
Seems like they aren't addressing the holding midfield position which in my opinion was one of the most critical for them this Summer. With a current net spend of around £45m they certainly don't have the finances to go out and get a top class player in that position, which is good news for everyone else.
The only curve-ball would be if they got Moutinho who seems to be available on loan.
The only curve-ball would be if they got Moutinho who seems to be available on loan.
A good holding midfielder with a passing range can be a really good addition. Still, if you have the money and someone is available, then I don't think you should mind another CB and releasing Toure. Skrtel is your best option of the 3 CB's, and I don't think he is very good. Lovern looked all at sea last season and Sakho has his injury issues.
The high line and attacking football Rodgers wants to play will always be more susceptible to defensive lapses. A good CB used to the kind of set-up can mitigate those instances.
Four strikers in the squad may necessitate the use of formations with 2 strikers.
I'm interested to see how Rodgers lines up and tries to juggle all the players you have. Somewhere I feel, that you have too many attackers similar to each other and lack a certain variety. Markovic is a bit different but has underwhelmed; the likes of Coutinho, Lalana and Firmino will like to occupy the same attacking spaces.
Do you feel the squad is a little bloated and unbalanced right now? Which of the players do you think will leave before the window shuts?
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There is some deadwood. Our three horror forwards from last season all have to go. Enrique is done.
Also Lucas is our only actual holding midfielder.
Other than that, I think we're looking somewhat as we should. Two out and out wingers in markovic and Ibe. Three who are basically between the lines but can fill different roles in Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino.
Not quite sure how our four forwards will work out. But then, three of them are new. If Sturridge stays fit, it might be a bit bloated. Big if and a problem we should have going into this season.
Allen and Enrique swapped for a higher class of leftback and holding midfielder I think are the only areas in need of tinkering as it looks right now. Might look different in January.
433 or 442 midfield diamond.
Liverpool have done well considering their budget and pulling power.
The problem is to attract top players you need plenty cash or consistent CL. Liverpool have neither. The conundrum is that they are unlikely to become regular top 4 finishers until they start signing top players. Which they cant.
So this window they have signed several Europa League level players and they have improved their squad. Their squad is still around the 5/6th best in the league currently. If something exceptional happens (Firmino does a Suarez or Man City implode) they are in a good position to sneak into the top four next season, and continue gradually improving.
The problem is to attract top players you need plenty cash or consistent CL. Liverpool have neither. The conundrum is that they are unlikely to become regular top 4 finishers until they start signing top players. Which they cant.
So this window they have signed several Europa League level players and they have improved their squad. Their squad is still around the 5/6th best in the league currently. If something exceptional happens (Firmino does a Suarez or Man City implode) they are in a good position to sneak into the top four next season, and continue gradually improving.
While I agree that Benteke will be an improvement over Balotelli, I don't see why Ings would be an improvement over Lambert, if you consider their previous season before signing, Lambert actually having a stronger season than Ings before signing. There's a 10 year age-gap between them, but at face value, I'm not quite sure how Ings is going to be such a huge improvement. Origi over Borini isn't much of an improvement either.
Current net spend is around £30m I believe. However since BR says he doesn't play with a DM it's unlikely we'll go for a player that is limited to that position. Illarramendi makes much more sense with his control and passing range.
Spot on.
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